Screw-driver.



HLHESS.

SCREW DRIVER.

W APPLICATION FILED'APR.30. m5.

Patented D00. 11, 191?.

in shame r ps.

HE1\TRY HESS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

. SCREW-DRIVER.

masses.

zen of the United States, residingat Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Screw-Drivers, of which the following is a specification, reference being bad therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to screw drivers and has for its object the production of a simple and convenient device adapted to fit different widths of slots in screw heads, and to this end the invention consists of a screw driver comprising a body portion having a continuous curved active edge adapted to enter the screw slots, said edge varying in thickness at different points linearly thereof,

so that different portions of the edge will fit different widths of screw slots, according to the width of the same.

My invention may be embodied in different forms and constructions, and in the accompanying drawings I have illustrated certain forms of embodiment by way of example. It will be manifest, however, that these forms may be changed and modified by the skilled mechanic without departing from the limits of my invention; and further it will be understood that the invention is not limited to any particular form or construction of the parts except in so far as such limitations are specified in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved device in its preferred form.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same.

Fig. 3 is an edge view of the same.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line a;-'a of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a similar section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 isa plan view of a modified form of the device.

Fig. 7 is an edge view of the same.

Fig. 8 is an elevation showing the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 mounted in a handle.

Fig. 9 is an elevation of my improved device combined with abutton hook.

Referring to the drawings:

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, my improved screw driver consists of a body 1 which is preferably of circular disk-like form. The peripheral edge 3 of the body is continuous throughout its extent, but varies Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 30, 1915. Serial No. 24,887

Patented nee. ii, 19ft.

gradually in thickness from a point 4 of minimum thickness to a point 5 of maximum thickness. ,As a result, the edge presents screw-slot engaging portions of varying thicknesses throughout its extent, whereby the device is adapted to fit different widths of screw-slots such as are found in different sizes of screws. By reason of the fact that the width of the active edge varies gradually or tapers, it possesses a wedge-like form circumferentially, which enables the edge when inserted in a screw slot, to be wedged therein, with the result that it will remain in place when the hand is removed for each partial turn. This is of advantage and convenience, particularly when operating in confined or dark places as it avoids the annoyance and difiiculty of finding the slot if the screw driver is removed from the same. As shown more particularly in Figs. 4. and 5,

the body tapers in a radial direction, the

Width increasing from the outer edge toward the center of the body on a radial line. This imparts to the device stiffness and strength, so that it will withstand without bending or injury, the severe strains to which in practice, it is in some cases subjected.

In the form of the device represented in Figs. 6 and 7 the peripheral edge of the body, instead of varying in thickness gradually, as in the first form described, consists of a. number of stepped surfaces 6, 7, 8, etc., of different thicknesses, whose side faces are parallel to each other. The peripheral edge however is continuous and curved, and as in the case of the form of the device first de scribed, it varies in thickness in a circumferential direction.

In Fig. 8 the body, possessing the characteristics described, is mounted in a handle 9, the end of which is slotted or forked to receive the body, which is confined therein by means of a screw 10 passing through the forks and intermediate body, the latter being held frictionally in place so that it may be shifted around on its axisin order to present for action, different widths of screw-slot engaging sections.

In Fig. 9 my improved device is combined ment indifferent widths of'screw slots. In

this form of the device, the central opening is considerably greatefiindiaafitrzr than the other forms described, and is provided with an inwardly extending lip 11 adapting the device for use as a bottle opener to remove the-metal-closure caps. The central opening through the; body portion of the device adapts the same to be conveniently handled or hung on a hook or attached to a keyring. It is-manifest that, it

P ItiOn be of exact circular form, as it could not essential to therealizati'oirof my invention that the body be elliptical in form and still fall within the scope of my invention. And so also other forms may be'adopted, provided that there is presented a curved active edge to 1 enter the screw slot.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

HENRY HESS.

(iopies of' this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of letents,

r :Washington, D. O. 

